South Buffalo is set to get its first public playground as the township tries to turn the RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park into a hub for government, housing, recreation and more.

“We would like that to be a community center,” said township Supervisor Paul Bergad.

In 2022, South Buffalo moved its administrative building to the area. A 90-home development is slated nearby, and the township is planning to move the police station next to its offices in the coming years.

Right now, the park site is just a patch of grass behind the administrative building.

At least a dozen volunteers will be needed to install a swing set, slides and more. A build day is scheduled for Sept. 7 at 167 Northpointe Blvd.

The park will be built in two phases.

The first phase is being is paid for by a $70,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, plus $40,000 in donated services and cash from NEXTIER; Allegheny Mineral; Charlton Law; Bergad, Inc.; and MECALL Services.

This will be mostly completed Sept. 7, and opened on a yet-to-be-determined date once crews lay wood fiber mulch as the playground surface, according to township engineer Sally Conklin.

Conklin described phase two as a “ninja warrior course,” a type of obstacle course popularized by reality show “American Ninja Warrior.” It’ll include familiar features from the series, such as a warped wall and slanted steps.

“I’ll be trying it,” Conklin said with a laugh.

Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering the Freeport Area and Kiski Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on Penn Hills municipal affairs. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.com.

Details

Sign up for the build day
When: Saturday, Sept. 7
Where: Behind the South Buffalo Township administrative building, 167 Northpointe Blvd.
What to bring: Volunteers are asked to wear work boots and gloves. They also should bring utility knives, tape measures, impact drivers, drills, drill bits and socket sets, if possible.
Lunch, drinks: MECALL Services and Charlton Law will provide lunch, snacks and drinks.
To register: Call Township Secretary Michele Brestensky at 724-295-0455.